CVE-2006-5820 in Aol
Summary
by MITRE
The LinkSBIcons method in the SuperBuddy ActiveX control (Sb.SuperBuddy.1) in America Online 9.0 Security Edition dereferences an arbitrary function pointer, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a modified pointer value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-5820 represents a critical buffer overflow and arbitrary code execution flaw within the SuperBuddy ActiveX control version 1.0 distributed with America Online 9.0 Security Edition. This issue stems from improper input validation and memory management within the LinkSBIcons method, which processes function pointers without adequate sanitization or bounds checking. The ActiveX control is designed to handle various icon-related operations within the AOL interface, but the implementation contains a fundamental flaw that allows malicious actors to manipulate memory references through crafted input data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of function pointers within the ActiveX control's memory space. When the LinkSBIcons method processes user-supplied data, it fails to validate the integrity of function pointer values, allowing attackers to redirect execution flow to arbitrary memory locations. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-476 which addresses null pointer dereference conditions, though in this case the issue manifests as arbitrary pointer dereferencing rather than null pointer access. The attack vector involves remote exploitation through web content or malicious files that trigger the vulnerable ActiveX control when loaded in Internet Explorer or other browsers that support ActiveX components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running the affected AOL client, potentially leading to full system infiltration, data theft, or deployment of additional malware. The vulnerability affects the broader ActiveX ecosystem and demonstrates the inherent risks associated with legacy ActiveX controls that lack proper memory safety mechanisms. According to ATT&CK framework category T1190, this vulnerability represents a technique for exploiting a software vulnerability to gain remote access, while the lateral movement aspect is covered under T1071.3 for application layer protocols. The exploitation typically requires social engineering to convince users to visit malicious websites or open infected attachments that trigger the vulnerable ActiveX control through browser plugins or desktop applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate exploitation risk and the underlying architectural issues within ActiveX controls. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure that all instances of America Online 9.0 Security Edition are updated with the latest security patches from AOL. The recommended approach involves disabling ActiveX controls in web browsers where possible, particularly in environments where users access untrusted web content. Security professionals should deploy application whitelisting solutions that restrict execution of unsigned ActiveX controls and establish network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious ActiveX-related traffic patterns. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of executing unsigned code and the importance of keeping software updated to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper input validation and memory safety practices in software development, as outlined in the secure coding guidelines that address CWE-125 and related buffer overflow conditions.